Final answer:
The statement that pay-for-performance programs generally show positive results is true, with such programs being popular due to their ability to improve productivity and motivation.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or False, research indicates that, for the most part, pay-for-performance programs show positive results. The statement is True. Pay-for-performance programs are indeed popular with both economists and the general public because these programs typically lead to improvements in productivity and motivation by effectively increasing the payment received for work. In education, for example, studies such as the one from the National Center on Performance Incentives at Vanderbilt University have looked into the effectiveness of performance-based pay for teachers. While there is no one-size-fits-all outcome, the overall trend suggests that when properly implemented, pay-for-performance can have a positive impact on performance outcomes.